Mikal Bridges talks about becoming a member of Staff USA, what’s subsequent for the Brooklyn Nets, and why Ben Simmons is poised for a significant comeback on “Podcast P with Paul George”.

Right this moment, we share highlights from this week’s episode of “Podcast P with Paul George”–presented by Wave Sports activities + Leisure–featuring Brooklyn Nets star ahead Mikal Bridges.

Within the episode, Mikal appears to be like again on the sting of being chosen by his hometown staff, the Philadelphia 76ers, solely to be traded shortly after to the Phoenix Suns.

The blokes additionally go into his mid-season Brooklyn Nets, what the long run holds for the staff and the way he’s bought “large religion” in Ben Simmons making a significant comeback this yr.

Lastly, Mikal talks concerning the pleasure of becoming a member of Staff USA for subsequent month’s FIBA World Cup and the way it was a “no brainer” to staff up with Anthony Edwards, Brandon Ingram, coach Steve Kerr, and others.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

[10:00] MIKAL ON HIS DRAFT NIGHT, BEING PISSED OFF AT THE PHOENIX SUNS TRADE

PG: “We all know you had a loopy story being from Pennsylvania, you get drafted by the Sixers after which traded. Your mother labored for the Sixers at that time, proper? Speak to us about that draft expertise.”

MB: “Loopy. And it is wild as a result of, stuff you dream for, you recognize what I am saying? I believe I by no means was like, I wanna go prime 10. Like, no, I wanna go to the NBA and having that dream occur and truly being very pissed off, you recognize what I am saying? Like not even appreciating the second and that’s one thing it took me days to form of recover from it and like notice like I bought like a get up name. Like, come on, you’re prime 10. I do not care should you did not speak to anyone in Phoenix. You are in the end blessed like you ought to be grateful. However that night time? In the event you see it is so humorous as a result of I understand how I smile and I do know my facial expressions. In the event you see the images I bought with the Phoenix hat on just like the fakest smile on the earth Like I used to be scorching. Oh scorching. I did not exit after we bought again to the lodge. No, [I didn’t want to celebrate] I used to be pissed off. And I had this excuse, I am like, oh I bought an early flight tomorrow. I gotta go all the best way to Phoenix as a result of [we’re in] New York. I used to be pissed off, man.”

[12:20] MIKAL ON PLAYING WITH EDGE AGAINST THE SIXERS AFTER DRAFT NIGHT TRADE

“Yeah [that was my hometown team growing up]. Particularly the primary couple of years I really feel like I all the time performed fairly good, and I simply all the time had an edge. I all the time had an edge. However yeah, particularly being within the East too, clearly you bought sweat however being in Philly and enjoying there, like I used to be simply so amped. Like I simply know lots of people within the crowd they know that night time like quite a lot of them know. I am similar to, yeah, I’m [going to] make y’all really feel [this] like fuck that. Like fuck y’all like everyone right here.”

[14:40] MIKAL SHEDS LIGHT ON HIS MID-SEASON TRADE TO THE BROOKLYN NETS

“[It was] Robust, actually powerful. In the summertime KD [Kevin Durant] mentioned he needed to go to Phoenix. So it was form of at the back of my head trigger you recognize, we’re not dumb like if you wish to come right here, you recognize, I used to be going and Cam Johnson knew we was going. I do know it ain’t, [Devin] E book[er] leaving and I don’t assume it’s D.A. [Deandre Ayton]. I simply bought paid. So that they gonna minimize my 20 despatched over there guys attempt to match his 40. Cam Johnson knew, like, pay attention, I have not bought my contract but so I am simply, I am free. So that they’re simply going to throw me in there. So I kinda had it on my thoughts this summer season. I mess around just a little bit so, like, I all the time made jokes to me and Cam, like, rattling KD’s about to come back right here bro, pack your luggage we’re out of right here.

However then it died down after which the season got here on simply was not even [in my head] no extra. And we went to Brooklyn, some Kyrie factor got here out like we was about to play Brooklyn the day earlier than and we was going to observe and a few[thing] about Kyrie coming to Phoenix, then it introduced again the reminiscences of the summer season and I am like, oh shit like right here we go. After which when the KD factor occurred, I used to be similar to, rattling, I did not assume that was actually gonna occur, proper?

Even once I bought to Brooklyn that day earlier than, after we was about to play him, I used to be fucking round like within the health club like that is my residence, that is my residence and I get fucking traded two days later. So it is like some karma on my ass for that one. However yeah, actually fucking round dapping up the blokes that work there like I am gonna see you, bro.”

[19:41] MIKAL ON BEING ONE OF THE BEST DEFENDERS IN THE LEAGUE

“I believe what actually helps me is that I do know what defenders form of assume and I do know – I believe I am among the finest defenders – such as you, for instance, you’ll be able to’t have your hand on the market and you recognize, your hand on the market [is] getting a foul. And I simply, that was like an enormous factor guarding individuals once I see even like actually good defenders, they attempt to get too aggressive and I am similar to watching like, bro, like [James] Harden and all you guys, like as quickly as you set your hand and contact him it is over with. So now I am taking that benefit. I do know I am like, these guys are gonna be aggressive. I dare you. Like I dare you get, get your hand like I am taking successful each single time, so it undoubtedly is enjoyable. However I believe me with the ability to defend quite a bit, I form of know what they’re form of pondering and it helps me quite a bit.”

[31:55] MIKAL ON TEAMMATE BEN SIMMONS, INJURY AND WHAT TO EXPECT

“Ben’s my man. I bought large confidence. I bought large religion in [him] extra this yr. I believe, you recognize, his again was tousled and him really going [and] getting x-rays stuff and [doctors] telling him it’s important to get surgical procedure. I believe it form of felt good for him. I believe individuals did not consider him as a result of he form of was just like the, you recognize, possibly he was in Philly like just a little boy who cried wolf generally. So like he did not need to play or some shit. So now like he would say like, oh I am harm and folks have been like, man, fuck out of right here. However now he is really harm and folks nonetheless do not consider it. So he was really harm and now he’s getting surgical procedure, he is getting again. However he liked the sport, bro.

One factor I all the time see and is rather like, nothing loopy. I do not even say to him, however he all the time has a ball in his hand. Like, even when he was out, he all the time has a ball in his hand. And now we have like this little factor that goes on each time after halftime like the primary man out to go shoot and it is at residence or away. He is like sitting within the chair with the ball and I stand up and he throws me and I stroll out. It was like this little routine factor that simply randomly occurred like we did not speak about it…I believe he is in a great place. , he fucks with all of us like we’re shut. He is the one speaking within the chat on a regular basis. Like he simply feels that like he has fucking quite a lot of pals and all of us fuck with him. Clearly we would like him to attain and stuff, however we ain’t not pressed about it. Such as you simply need him to be him, be aggressive and simply play the suitable manner.”

[40:14] MIKAL ON PLAYING FOR TEAM USA, NO BRAINER DECISION

MB: “Steve Kerr introduced as much as me similar to the concept of [Team USA] and I used to be similar to, hell yeah, like I am right here, simply please let me know. I form of had the concept there after which ended up going to Brooklyn and enjoying very well after which see him once more and speaking about it and kinda at that time, I used to be like actually prepared for it. So um no, undoubtedly I man there was nothing holding me again for that until I used to be had some damage or one thing occur, however no I used to be prepared. I am very excited.”

PG: “, I’ve acknowledged how aggressive the Staff USA practices and stuff are you bought a enjoyable younger lineup that is gonna exit and compete for Staff USA. Who’re you most enthusiastic about enjoying with outdoors of Jalen?”

MB: “Man, most likely Ant[thony Edwards] or B.I. [Brandon Ingram]. Clearly, like some guys not even battle, they make it powerful for me to protect them as a result of how powerful they’re. So I believe them two guys are most likely the largest ones. I understand how aggressive they’re and I do know the motor on each of them. I understand how freaking expert they’re. So form of be round them, even study from them as properly. So, and simply, you recognize, make some pals and you recognize geek about shit and be able to go.”